Old advertisements, comic books, and catalog pages sometimes tell a story they didn’t mean to tell. Back in the day, designers and illustrators focused on grabbing attention with bold images and catchy slogans. But without realizing it, many of these works ended up looking surprisingly suggestive.
Children’s books and comic books also had their share of unintentionally naughty moments. Covers sometimes showed characters in action poses that, thanks to odd angles or poor design choices, looked far more adult than intended. Superheroes, especially, were drawn in tight costumes that hugged every curve and muscle. A few covers crossed into awkward territory when characters were placed too close together, or when props and backgrounds created odd visual effects.
Even greeting cards weren’t safe. Some cards, meant to be light and silly, used puns or wordplay that didn’t age well. Combined with certain images, these cards gave off a vibe their creators likely never expected. Whether it was a joke about “big packages” during the holidays or a birthday card with a suggestive drawing, the humor often slipped into risqué territory without warning.
Movie posters from past decades also had their moments. Designers wanted to sell excitement and drama, but the way characters were posed sometimes suggested more than intended. A classic film poster might show a hero holding a heroine tightly, but awkward body positioning and bold taglines worked together to create an odd effect.
